Durham's creative community recognized

Second Art of Transition Awards held in Oshawa

Durham's creative community recognized

Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland

OSHAWA -- Stephanie Herrera of Durham Improv, centre, won an award for Best Entertainment in Durham Region, during the Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards held at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, November 9. With her were Kathy Weiss, Durham's director of economic development and tourism, and Regional Chairman Roger Anderson. November 9, 2012

Art of Transition awards

OSHAWA -- Empty Cup Media won an award for Best Story About Durham Region at the Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards held at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, November 9. From left, Kathy Weiss, Durham's director of economic development and tourism, Colin Burwell and Carla Sinclair from Empty Cup Media, and Regional Chairman Roger Anderson. November 9, 2012

Art of Transition awards

OSHAWA -- Pickering Village Jam! Festival of Jazz, Art and Music, won an award for Best Creative Innovation during the Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards held at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, November 9. From left, Kathy Weiss, Durham's director of economic development and tourism, Margaret Campbell from Pickering Village Jam! Festival of Jazz, Art and Music, and Regional Chairman Roger Anderson. November 9, 2012

Art of Transition awards

OSHAWA -- Kathy Weiss, Durham's director of economic development and tourism, left, and Regional Chairman Roger Anderson, second from right, presented Valleys 2000 with the award for Best Use of Creativity to Advance Social and Environmental Sustainability, during the Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards held at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, November 9. November 9, 2012

Art of Transition awards

OSHAWA -- The award winners of the Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards, held at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, November 9. November 9, 2012

Art of Transition

Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland

OSHAWA -- The Durham public libraries won an award for Best Creative Collaboration at the Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards night held at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, November 9. From left, Kathy Weiss, Durham's director of economic development and tourism, Rhonda Jessup from the Whitby Public Library, Ellen Stroud from the Oshawa Public Library and Regional Chairman Roger Anderson. November 9, 2012

The Durham Improv founder received Best Entertainment in Durham Region honours at the 2012 Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards. And Herrera fittingly provided some entertainment, doing a bit where she impersonated Megan Fox and then strutting across the stage at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery as she sang a vampy song that showed off her impressive singing voice.

Herrera opened Durham's first black box theatre in Oshawa this year, appears in her own show on Rogers television, Stephanie's Comedy Chat, and was asked by Yuk Yuk's to organize a weekly improv night in Ajax. She also teaches at Durham and Fleming colleges and often has an improv show running somewhere in Durham.

So, what keeps this comedic dynamo from resting on her laurels?

"It's just the passion of entertaining," she said Friday night. "I am most happy when I'm on stage."

The Best Story about Durham Region award went to Empty Cup Media owners Carla Sinclair and Colin Burwell for their documentary, Forget Me Knots, about Pickering sculptor Dorsey James.

"I started in 2005 out of my parent's basement, fresh out of college," Burwell said. "No one would hire me so I hired myself."

He began fostering a relationship with the Durham District School Board and, two years in with his Whitby-based video company, invited Sinclair to join the company. Work and life partners, they are about to branch out with their first independent feature length documentary. It's titled Heal Myself and is about Kate Reid, a British Columbia-based singer/songwriter.

For 'Chocolate' Margaret Campbell, chairman of the Pickering Village JAM! Festival of Jazz, Art and Music, winning the Best Creative Innovation award was sweet. The Village Ice Cream Shoppe owner revived the annual Ajax jazz festival when it was cancelled, adding more musical and other flavours to the event.

"I went, 'I don't think so'," she said. "We decided if the BIA didn't want to do it we would do it."

She formed a committee, enlisted local business owner Bruce Jenkins and the Town of Ajax's support and in 2011 held a one-day event. It grew to three days this year and plans are for a four-day event in 2013. Asked if next year's planning was underway, she replied, "It's all planned."

Valleys 2000 won the award for Best Use of Creativity to Advance Social and Environmental Responsibility. The non-profit, community-based organization is working to rehabilitate and enhance Bowmanville's two creek valleys. They are creating a fish bypass where fish can make it to spawning grounds on Bowmanville Creek. At present most of the fish die as the dam is an obstacle they cannot pass.

"We're doing what we can and we want people to know we're on the way," said vice-president Harold Hammond.

Durham public libraries won the Best Creative Collaboration award for the Pass the Book program. Begun as a partnership between the Whitby and Oshawa libraries, the program sees people read and discuss a book, attending programs related to its themes at local businesses and attractions.

It's expanded to include libraries in all of Durham's municipalities.

The reception at the gallery was standing-room only and Durham Tourism manager Kerri King noted "the energy in the room is outstanding."

The awards recognize people and businesses that are strengthening the Durham community by celebrating and promoting creativity, innovation and collaboration.